Cylinder lock

ABSTRACT

An improved cylinder lock of the side bar type adapted for keyless locking including a stationary sleeve, a core supported on the sleeve for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position, a side bar on the core movable between a projecting position and a withdrawn position, and a spring biased notched keeper lever pivotally supported in a recess in the sleeve adjacent the core. The recess in the sleeve extends around a portion of the core so that the latter is rotatable between the locked and unlocked positions with the side bar in the projecting position and the keeper lever has a cam surface thereon which is engageable by the side bar when the core is rotated toward the locked position with the side bar in the projecting position, the side bar then momentarily pivoting the keeper lever to permit the core to achieve the locked position wherein the side bar is captured in the keeper notch and rotation of the core in the opposite direction prevented.

United States Patent [191 Seidewand 1 Jan. 9, 1973 [54] CYLINDER LOCK [75] Inventor: Edward II. Seidewand, Rochester,

[73] Assignee: General Motors Corporation,

Detroit, Mich.

[22] Filed: July 29, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 167,331

[52] U.S. Cl ..70/364 R, 70/377, 70/419 [51] Int. Cl. ....E05b 15/14, E05b 29/02, E05b 63/00 [58] Field of Search ..70/364 R, 364 A, 365, 366,

Primary Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe Attorney-W. E. Finken et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT An improved cylinder lock of the side bar type adapted for keyless locking including a stationary sleeve, a core supported on the sleeve for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position, a side bar on the core movable between a projecting position and a withdrawn position, and a spring biased notched keeper lever pivotally supported in a recess in the sleeve adjacent the core. The recess in the sleeve extends around a portion of the core so that the latter is rotatable between the locked and unlocked positions with the side bar in the projecting position and the keeper lever has a cam surface thereon which is engageable by the side bar when the core is rotated toward the locked position with the side bar in the projecting position, the side bar then momentarily pivoting the keeper lever to permit the core to achieve the locked position wherein the side bar is captured in the keeper notch and rotation of the core in the opposite direction prevented.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJAN 9 I973 LOCKED HgyiNTOR. I

ATTORN CYLINDER LOCK This invention relates generally to cylinder locks and in particular to a cylinder lock adapted for keyless locking.

Modern automobiles typically include a combination ignition switch and lock assembly which functions to energize the starting and ignition circuits of the vehicle in any one of several modes and to prevent unauthorized energization of the circuits. For several reasons, including economy and dependability, such combination assemblies commonly incorporate a side bar type cylinder lock which includes a stationary sleeve, a rotatable core, and a side locking bar carried by the core and extendable beyond the confines of the core into a notch in the sleeve to lock the core against rotation relative to the sleeve. When the proper key is inserted into the core, the side bar is retracted into the core to permit rotation of the latter and operation of the ignition switch. While some side bar type cylinder locks are adapted to permit removal of the key in a configuration of the cylinder lock other than the normal locked configuration, these locks are not well suited to applications where the key is normally removed from the lock during operation of the vehicle to reduce the projecting object hazard in the vehicle because each requires inconvenient reinsertion of the key to bring the lock back to its locked or secured configuration. A cylinder lock according to this invention retains the advantages ofthe conventional side bar type lock but is'particularly suited to applications where the key is normally removed during operation of the vehicle because reinsertion of the key for returning the lock to the locked configuration is not required.

Accordingly, the primary feature of this invention is that it provides an improved cylinder lock, the configuration of which may be altered from locked to unlocked with a key and from unlocked to locked with or without the key. Another feature of this invention is that it provides an improved cylinder lock having the described configuration altering characteristics I wherein the cylinder lock is of the side bar type including a stationary sleeve. A core rotatably supported on the sleeve, and a locking member which projects beyond the confines of the core intothe sleeve in the locked configuration of the cylinder lock and which is withdrawn to within the confines of the core in the unlocked configuration of the cylinder lock. Still other features of this invention reside in the provision of a movable keeper on the sleeve resiliently urged toward a normal position capturing the locking member when the latter projects beyond the confines of the core to prevent rotation of the core and in the provision of cam means responsive to rotation of the core for temporarily displacing the keeper from the normal position so that the cylinder lock can be brought from the unlocked to the locked configuration without first retracting the locking member. A still further feature of this invention resides in the provision of a keeper pivotally supported on the sleeve and resiliently biased in one direction toward the normal position, the locking member engaging a cam surface on the keeper during rotation of the core to temporarily pivot the keeper out of the normal position thereof so that the locked configuration of the cylinder lock can be achieved without first retracting the locking member.

These and other features of this invention will be readily apparent from the following specification and from the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a cylinder lock according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 3-3 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 44 in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, a cylinder lock according to this invention designated generally 10 is supported on a panel 12 and projects through an aperture 14 in the latter, the panel representing the instrument panel of an automobile type vehicle. The cylinder lock 10 includes a cylindrical sleeve or casing 16 having a flange 18 at one end thereof and a circular aperture 20 at the other end thereof centeredon the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The flange 18 is rigidly secured to the back side of panel 12 by conventional means, not shown, so that the sleeve 16 is rigidly fastened to the panel behind aperture l4.

The cylinder lock 10 further includes a core 22 having a cylindrical configuration, the core being rotatably supported in sleeve 16. The core has an arcuate groove 24 therein, FIG. 2, adapted to slidably receive the end of a set screw 26 threadedly received in the sleeve 16, the set screw restraining axial bodily movement of the core while permitting rotation thereof within the sleeve. An actuator 28 is rigidly attached to the core and projects outward through aperture 20 in the sleeve, the actuator being offset from the longitudinal axis of rotation of the core so that such rotation of the latter causes the actuator to traverse an arcuate path about the axis. In an automotive application, the actuator may be connected by conventional means to an ignition switch, not shown, which effects completion of the vehicle ignition circuit and energization of the starting motor when the core is rotated through an angle of approximately As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the core 22 has a'longitudinal key slot 30 therein opening into a counterbore 32. A hardened steel disc 34 having a slot 36 therein is received in the counterbore 32, the slot 36 registering with key slot 36 in the core. A cover 38 having a pair of slightly raised finger grips 40 is rigidly attached to the outboard end of the core 22 and retains the steel disc 34 on the latter, a slot 42, FIG. 2, in the cover 38 between the finger grips registering with the aligned slots 30 and 36 in the core and steel disc respectively.

The core 22 further includes a plurality of transverse tumbler slots 44 each slidably supporting a tumbler 46 having a V-shaped notch 48 in one side edge thereof. Each tumbler 46 is resiliently urged upwardly, FIGS. 3 and 4, by a small coil spring 50 captured between an edge of the tumbler and a retainer 52 rigidly secured to the core by conventional means, as by crimping or the like. A locking bar slot 54, FIG. 4, in the core 22 extends longitudinally of the latter and perpendicularly to the tumbler slots 44 to provide communication from the outer diameter of the core to the tumbler slots. The slot 54 slidably receives a side locking bar 56 having a V-shapedend 58 corresponding in configuration to the notches 48 in the tumblers 46. The side. bar56 is resiliently. urged radially inward with respect to the core 22 by a pair of small vcoil springs 60, FIG. 2, bearing at one end against the side bar and at the other end against a pair of retainers 62 rigidly fastenedto the core.

The movement of the side barv relative to the core is controlled in a conventional manner by the tumblers 46 and by a key 64 adapted for insertion in the key slot 30 through the registered slots 36 and 42. in the disc 34 and cover 38 respectively. More particularly, as seen best in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tumblers 46 in the absence of key 64 are urged upwardly by springs 50 until an end 66 on each tumbler abuts the end of the corresponding one of the tumbler slots 44. The location of notch 48 relative to end 66 varies from tumbler to tumbler so that when the key 64 is removed from the core, the apex of the end 58 of the side baris held in abutting relation by springs 60 against the side edges of the tumblers. A projecting position of the side bar, not shown, is thus defined wherein the outboard end of the side bar projects beyond the confines of the core 22 against the restoring action of springs 60.

When the key 64 is inserted in the core, a plurality of edges 68 thereon, ground to predetermined varying depths, engage corresponding ones of the tumblers 46 and depress the latter varying distances against the restoring action of springs 50. The depth to which each edge 68 is ground is predetermined to insure that when the key 64 is fully inserted, the notches 48 in the tumblers are aligned. With the notches 48 thus aligned, the restraint on the side bar 56 is removed allowing the springs 60 to bodily shiftthe bar radially inward with respect to the core from the projecting position to a withdrawn position, FIG. 4, within the confines of the core wherein the end 58 of the side bar rests in the aligned notches 48 in the tumblers.

As seen best in FIGS. 2 and '4, the sleeve 16 has a recess 70 thereinadjacent the core 22, the recess 70 includirig a narrow arcuate portion 72 extending beyond the'main portion of the recess. A keeper assembly is supported'on the sleeve within .the recess 70 and includes a mounting bracket 74 rigidly attached to' the sleeve and pivotally supporting on a shaft 76 a keeper lever 78. The keeper lever 78 has a notch 80 therein and a cam. surface 82 and is resiliently urged in a clockwise direction toward a normal position, FIG. 4, by a coil spring 84 captured between the lever and-the mounting bracket 74. The notch 80, in the normal position of the keeper lever, is adapted to captively receive the outboard end of the side bar 56 in the projecting position of the latter'to prevent rotation ofthe core 22.

In operation, the cylinder lock is in a locked configuration when the side bar-56 is in the projecting positionthereof with the outboard end captured within the notch 80 in the keeper lever, the position of the core with respect to the sleeve under these conditions being designated locked" in FIG. 1. When the key 64 is inserted in the core, the springs 60 effect bodily movement .of the side. bar from the projecting to the withdrawn position thereof thus freeing the core for rotation relative to the sleeve, the keeper lever then resting against the outside diameter of the core. In an automotive application, for example, wherein the cylinder lock is connected to an ignition switch, rotation of thecore fromv the locked" position through an unlocked position to a run position effects energization of the vehicle's ignition circuit in a conventional manner. Further rotation of the core to a start position simultaneously-energizes the vehicles starting circuit to effect starting of the engine. Once the engine is started and the key 64 released, conventional spring means in the switch return the core to the run position for normal operation of the vehicle, the cylinder lock, of course, being in an unlocked configuration. In both the unlocked and run positions of the core, the arcuate portion 72 of the recess overlies the side bar 56 so that the key 64 may be withdrawn in either position, as by. an automatic key ejector, key withdrawal effecting movement of the side bar to the projecting position wherein the outboard end thereof projects into thearcuate portion 72 of the recess.

When it is desired to return the cylinder lock to the locked configuration, the key 64 may be reinserted in the core to move the side bar to the withdrawn position thereof so that the core can be rotated to the locked" position. This, however, is inconvenient and unnecessary. More particularly, when the core 22 is rotated from the run position toward the locked position with the side bar 56 in the projecting position thereof, the leading corner of the outboard end of the side bar engages the keeper lever 78 on the cam surface 82 as the core approaches the locked position. Subsequent to such engagement, further rotation of the core to the locked position effects momentary counterclockwise pivotal movement of the keeper lever, FIG. 4, outof the normal position until the side bar slides by the cam surface into'the notch whereupon spring 84 effects return of the lever to the normalposition thereof capturing the side bar and preventing reverse rotation of the core. To initiate a second operational cycle of the cylinder lock, the key 64 must be reinserted to effect movement of the side bar from theprojecting to the withdrawn position as described.

Having thus describedthe invention, what is claimed 1. In a cylinder lock including a sleeve, a core member supported on said sleeve for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position angularly spaced from the locked position, and a locking member supported on the core member for unitary rotation with the latter and for movement relative thereto out of and into a projecting position in response respectively to insertion of a key into and withdrawal of said key from said core member, the improvement comprising, means defining a recess in said sleeve adjacent said core member adapted for reception of said locking member in the projecting position thereof, said recess extending angularly around said core member a distance sufficient to permit rotation of said core member between the locked and the unlocked positions with said locking member in the projecting position, a keeper supported on said sleeve generally within said recess for movement into and out of a normal position, said keeper in the normal position vthereof'being adapted to captively engage said locking member when the latter is in the projecting position and said core member is in the locked position thereby to prevent rotation of said core member to the unlocked position thereof, spring means urging said keeper toward the normal position thereof, and cam means operatively associated with said keeper responsive to rotation of said core member from the unlocked toward the locked position thereof with said locking member in the projecting position and operative to move said keeper out of the normal position until said core member achieves the locked position thereof and thereafter release said keeper to permit capture of said locking member.

2 In a cylinder lock including a sleeve, a core member supported on said sleeve for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position angularly spaced from the locked position, and a locking member supported on the core member for unitary rotation with the latter and for generally radial movement relative thereto out of and into a projecting position in response respectively to insertion of a key into and withdrawal of said key from said core member, the improvement comprising, means defining a recess in said sleeve adjacent said core member adapted for reception of said locking member in the projecting position thereof, said recess extending angularly a distance sufficient to permit rotation of said core member between the locked and the unlocked positions with said locking member in the projecting position, a keeper having a notch therein, means supporting said keeper on said sleeve generally within said recess for pivotal movement relative thereto into and out of a normal position, said keeper in the normal position thereof being adapted to capture said locking member in said notch when said locking member is in the projecting position and said core member is in the locked position thereby to prevent rotation of said core member to the unlocked position thereof, spring means urging said keeper toward the normal position, and cam means on said keeper and on said locking member responsive to rotation of said core member from the unlocked to the locked position thereof with said locking member in the projecting position and operative to pivot said keeper out of the normal position thereof until said core member achieves the locked position and thereafter release said keeper to permit capture of said locking member.

3. In a side bar cylinder lock including a sleeve, a core supported on said sleeve for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position angularly spaced from the locked position, and a side locking bar supported on said core for unitary rotation with the latter and for generally radial bodily movement relative thereto out of and into a projecting position projecting beyond the confines of said core in response respectively to insertion of a key into and withdrawal of said key from said core, the improvement comprising, means defining a recess in said sleeve adjacent said core adapted for reception of said locking bar in the projecting position thereof, said recess extending angularly a distance sufficient to permit rotation of said core between the locked and the unlocked positions with said locking bar in the projecting position, a keeper having a notch therein, means supporting said keeper on said sleeve generally within said recess for pivotal movement relative thereto into and out of a normal position, said keeper in the normal position thereof being adapted to capture said locking member in said notch when said locking member is in the pro'ecting position and said core is m the locked position t ereby to prevent rotation of said core to the unlocked position thereof, spring means urging said keeper toward the normal position thereof, and means defining a cam surface on said keeper situated when said keeper is in the normal position in the path of motion traversed by said locking bar during rotation of said core from the unlocked to the locked position with said locking bar in the projecting position thereof, said locking bar being engageable on said cam surface during rotation of said core from the unlocked toward the locked position and operative to pivot said keeper out of the normal position thereof 'until said core achieves the locked position thereof and thereafter release said keeper to permit capture of said locking bar. 

1. In a cylinder lock including a sleeve, a core member supported on said sleeve for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position angularly spaced from the locked position, and a locking member supported on the core member for unitary rotation with the latter and for movement relative thereto out of and into a projecting position in response respectively to insertion of a key into and withdrawal of said key from said core member, the improvement comprising, means defining a recess in said sleeve adjacent said core member adapted for reception of said locking member in the projecting position thereof, said recess extending angularly around said core member a distance sufficient to permit rotation of said core member between the locked and the unlocked positions with said locking member in the projecting position, a keeper supported on said sleeve generally within said recess for movement into and out of a normal position, said keeper in the normal position thereof being adapted to captively engage said locking member when the latter is in the projecting position and said core member is in the locked position thereby to prevent rotation of said core member to the unlocked position thereof, spring means urging said keeper toward the normal position thereof, and cam means operatively associated with said keeper responsive to rotation of said core member from the unlocked toward the locked position thereof with said locking member in the projecting position and operative to move said keeper out of the normal position until said core member achieves the locked position thereof and thereafter release said keeper to permit capture of said locking member.
 2. In a cylinder lock including a sleeve, a core member supported on said sleeve for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position angularly spaced from the locked position, and a locking member supported on the core member for unitary rotation with the latter and for generally radial movement relative thereto out of and into a projecting position in response respectively to insertion of a key into and withdrawal of said key from said core member, the improvement comprising, means defining a recess in said sleeve adjacent said core member adapted for reception of said locking member in the projecting position thereof, said recess extending angularly a distance sufficient to permit rotation of said core member between the locked and the unlocked positions with said locking member in the projecting position, a keeper having a notch therein, means supporting said keeper on said sleeve generally within said recess for pivotal movement relative thereto into and out of a normal position, said keeper in the normal position thereof being adapted to capture said locking member in said notch when said locking member is in the projecting position and said core member is in the locked position thereby to prevent rotation of said core member to the unlocked position thereof, spring means urging said keeper toward the normal position, and cam means on said keeper and on said locking member responsive to rotation of said core member from the unlocked to the locked position thereof with said locking member in the projecting position and operative to pivot said keeper out of the normal position thereof until said core member achieves the locked position and thereafter release said keeper to permit capture of said locking member.
 3. In a side bar cylinder lock including a sleeve, a core supported on said sleeve for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position angularly spaced from the locked position, and a side locking bar supported on said core for unitary rotation with the latter and for generally radial bodily movement relative thereto out of and into a projecting position projecting beyond the confines of said core in response respectively to insertion of a key into and withdrawal of said key from said core, the improvement comprising, means defining a recess in said sleeve adjacent said core adapted for reception of said locking bar in the projecting position thereof, said recess extending angularly a distance sufficient to permit rotation of said core between the locked and the unlocked positions with said locking bar in the projecting position, a keeper having a notch therein, means supporting said keeper on said sleeve generally within said recess for pivotal movement relative thereto into and out of a normal position, said keeper in the normal position thereof being adapted to capture said locking member in said notch when said locking member is in the projecting position and said core is in the locked position thereby to prevent rotation of said core to the unlocked position thereof, spring means urging said keeper toward the normal position thereof, and means defining a cam surface on said keeper situated when said keeper is in the normal position in the path of motion traversed by said locking bar during rotation of said core from the unlocked to the locked position with said locking bar in the projecting position thereof, said locking bar being engageable on said cam surface during rotation of said core from the unlocked toward the locked position and operative to pivot said keeper out of the normal position thereof until said core achieves the locked position thereof and thereafter release said keeper to permit capture of said locking bar. 